Multiple step press



Dec. 27, 1955 .R. E. CAMPBELL MULTIPLE STEP PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1954 Dec. 27, 1955 R. E. CAMPBELL MULTIPLE STEP PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 25, 1954 mm B on vn m on INVENTOR: 7 7

6.14%. fi/MA puf illrired heat-es Patent h mu STEP PRESS Rollin E. Campbell, Anderson, Ind, assignor to Horse Equipment Corporation, Anderson, Ind.

A r m w w t e 2 1. 4, .Sstia a- 39 12 Claims. (Cl. 38-935) portion of the closing stroke is efiected slowly and at a high pressure so that the full pressure acts upon the garment to he pressed.

A {known garment press of this type substantially comprises a stationary padded buck cooperating .with a press read which latter is carried by a lever system arranged in such a manner that the press head during its closing stroke first tilts about one pivot and during the very last phase of its closing stroke tilts about another pivot closer to the press head than the first mentioned pivot. This change in the effective pivots for the two phases of the closing stroke of the press head is brought about by a two-surface cam. The primary drawback of this arrangement consists in that said two-surface cam must carry the entire load effective during and throughout the entire pressing operation with the result that relatively rapid wear of said cam and the roller cooperating therewith is unavoidable, particularly because the said cam and roller frictionally engage each other during the closing operation under high pressure. Moreover the shifting from one pivot to the other pivot is effected in a somewhat jerky manner.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a press which will overcome the above mentioned drawhack-s.

it is another object of this invention to provide a multiple step press in which the load during the last phase of the closing stroke of the press head and throughout the actual pressing operation will ultimately not be taken up by any elements moving relative to each other during the last phase of the closing stroke of the press head and during the actual pressing operation.

it is still another object of this invention to arrange the lever system associated with the press head in such a manner that during the last phase of the closing stroke, the press head will automatically be moved parallel to itself and with its pressing surface substantially parallel to the corresponding surface of the buck engaged by the press head.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention Will appear more clearly from the followingspecification in connection with the accompanying drawing stin which: I

Fi 1 l r te a P es pa t in i s sad Part y i section provided with the two-step closing arrangement accordingto the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the press in almost closed condition, said section being taken along line ill- II of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 shows an upper portion of the press of Big. 1

but with the press fully .closedand the press head under full load.

Fig. .4 is a top view of Fig. 2 but with the levers stretched out in a single plane for purposes ,of -hetter illus- -.tration.

Fig 5 shows a partial section of a two. -piece lever arm associated with the press head.

G ne a swarms p i a y fea ure .of he p es t inven ion ons st in that the cm which c nt ols th movem n o h Pi head has rigidly connected ,thereto one link of a toggle leveragesystem, while the other link ,of said toggle levers y m is piv tally conne ted t a l er wh h may be ju t l and w i h r ma ns sta iena v d r n th n i e closing stroke and during he actual pressi of the ress- This arrangem nt brings ab ut tha s u -ins t maj portion vof .the closing stroke of the press, which is ,efiected at relatively low pressure, the tworsurface cam tilts the rocker arm together with the pressure lever in a manner similar to that efiected in the above mentioned known garment press. However, after the press head has almost completed its closing stroke, in ,other words ,as soon as the very last phase ,of the closing stroke begins, the two links of the toggle leverage system reach Rosition of substantial alignment and in this way hol t am tationary. As a result thereof, not only is the pivot point about which t pressure lever tilts ,enanged b t the lead now acting .upon the press ahead is not absorbed by a moving cam as is the case with the a ove men ioned knew/ garment press but is conveyed through the now/stationary ltoggle' 'linkage to a stationary part of the press. In this way neither the cam surface nor the roller rolling thereon lislsugbiected {to any great wear.

Re e in 10W to t e d aw n n deta the re shown ther in com r s s a ame musem n nera ,e s sn ed 1 w h arti a s p ha g mounte th reon a sui ab padde b k 3 T s l v k se ves t r e ve. the g ment to be r s d- Exte n from th bot om po io o the t me 1.0 one sid t e eo s an incl ned up h wh l a second rt r upt h :5 tends ite the th e? .6 o the :fi am Re t n th ou the uprights 4 and 5 there is arranged a tubular spacer '7 p vot ly suppo te n b a in h us le ve 7 4-9 whichiislcla npedbe ue thearmsfi o t e t ck rjarm sen a yld sisnat d vot l y moun ab t th sl ev 4 is a doub a m Pr sur adju t ng l v MP th glowerend of which carries a pin 1 1. The pin 11 is provid d wit a th ead d h i l t a edly ng ge by an adjusting rod 12 carrying a handwheel 13 for rotating .therod 12. Depending on whether the handwheel is rotated in one or the other direction, the lever 10 will befilted about-the sleeve 7 in one or theother direction.

-'I;he righthand end (with regard ,to Fig. -2) ,of the st cker 9 is pivotally connected to acam member 14 which hasa slot-15 with a-first cam surface 16 and a second cam surface 17. The cam member 14 has furthermore rigidly connected thereto two-arm extension 18 which constitutes .one toggle link of a toggle leverage 'mechanisrn. ilghe other toggle portion is :formed by ,the

link -20 ,pivotally connected at I9 to the extension 13. The toggle link 20 is furthermore ,pivotally connected to the pressure adjusting lever 10 by means of a ,pivot 10a.

,Guided ,in ,the slot 15 for engagement with the cam surfaces 1 6,and 17 is a roller ;2;1'which :is supported by a sleeve 22 Thesleeve-QZ is S PPQLtCdtbY abolt 23 carried by one end of apressure lever #24. Pivotally supported .by the sleeve;2 2 is a yoke"25 ,(see Fig. 4) the portion 25 :Q which i provided ith two :h les 26- :Ea h f th holes 26 is engaged by one end of a spring 27 the other end of which is engaged by a bracket 28 connected to the frame 1.

The portion of the yoke 25 is connected to one end of a piston rod 29 the lower end of which carries a piston (not shown) which is reciprocably mounted in the fluid pressure cylinder 30. The cylinder 30 which is supported by a bracket 31 connected in any convenient manner to the frame 1 communicates with a conduit 32 having associated therewith a three-way valve 33. The springs 27 continuously urge yoke 25 downwardly to thereby urge the roller 21 into the lower end of the cam surface 16. This brings about a tilting of the pressure lever 24 about the sleeve 7 which represents a fixed pivot. It will be evident that when the yoke 25 is moved downwardly, also the piston rod 29 is moved downwardly, thereby expelling the pressure fluid from cylinder 30 through the threeway valve 33 when the latter is set accordingly. On the other hand, if pressure fluid is admitted through the three way valve into the cylinder 30, the thrust of the springs 27 is overcome and the piston rod 29 is moved upwardly thereby moving the roller 21 from the lower end of the cam surface 16 along the latter and finally along the cam surface 17. This brings about a counter-clockwise tilting movement of the pressure lever 24.

The right-hand end (with regard to the drawings) of the rocker arm 9 is pivotally connected to the cam toggle link 18 in any convenient manner for instance by a sleeve 34 carried by a bolt 35. Also pivotally mounted on bolt 35 are suspended arms 36 each of which has suspended therein one end of a spring 37 the other end of which is anchored in the bracket 28. The springs 37 continuously urge the rocker arm 9 to tilt in clockwise direction about the fixed sleeve 7.

In order to soften the clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the head 42 and associated leverage mechanism during the first closing and the last opening phase of the press, there is provided an adjustable shock absorber 38 of any standard type which is carried by a bracket 39 connected to the frame 1. The arm 40 of the shock absorber 38 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 41 the other end of which is pivotally connected to the cam 14. Thus, when the cam is tilted in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending on whether the pressure lever moves in counter-clockwise or clockwise direction, the arm 40 of the shock absorber 38 will be moved in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

The front or left-hand end (with regard to the drawings) of the pressure lever 24 has associated therewith the press head 42 for engagement with the padded buck 3. To this end, the front end of each of the two arms forming the pressure lever 24 is provided with a bore through which extends a bolt (not shown) which is rigidly connected by means of nuts 45 to the arms of the pressure lever 24. Pivotally mounted on said bolt in any convenient manner for instance by needle bearings is a head mounting link comprising an eye 46, a two-section bar generally designated 47 and arms each carrying a tubular section 48, 49 and 50 respectively (see Fig. 4). Bolts connected to the press head 42 and arranged in conformity with the tubular sections 48, 49 and 50 extend through said tubular sections and spring means (not shown in the drawings) arranged in said tubular sections so that a relative movement between the press head 42 and said tubular sections may occur when the thrust of said springs in said tubular sections is overcome. It will thus be clear that the pivotal suspension in the tubular section or eye 46 together with the mounting in the tubular sections 48, 49 and 50 act in the manner of a univer r sal joint thereby allowing the press head 42 properly to adjust tiself in conformity with the buck 3 to assure a proper pressing and closing effect when the press is closed. It is, of course, understood that any other kind of universal-link suspension may be provided in connection with the mounting of the head 42 without affecting the primary feature of the present invention which consists in the cam-toggle leverage arrangement.

The bar 47 is composed of two sections namely the front section 47a and the rear section 47b (see Fig. 5). At will be evident from Fig. 5, the front end of the rear section 47 b is somewhat otfset, and the offset has a bore 51 therethrough through which extends a bolt 52. Between the head of the bolt 52 and the upper surface of the otfset there is provided a spring 53 which continuously urges the offset into engagement along its lower surface with the upper surface of the front section of the bar 47. The bolt 52 extends through the rear end of the front section 47a and has its outer end engaged by a nut 54. The rear end of the rear section 47.5 of bar 47 is pivotally supported by a bolt 55 which is carried by one end of an H-shaped link or lever 56, the other end of which is pivotally supported by the sleeve 7. The arrangement of the bar 47 in two sections will allow the sections 47a and 47b to move relative to each other whenever necessary. Normally, due to the arrangement of pivots W, X, Y and Z, the head 42 is forced to move into and out of engagement with the buck 3 in a parallel plane. If, however, a garment were placed on the buck which is thicker on the front portion of the buck than on the rear portion of the buck, the bar 47 would break as shown in Fig. 5, thereby equalizing the pressure front to back. If the thicker garment portion were on the rear of the buck, then the split bar 47 would break upwards, i. e. the free end of section 47a would pivot upwardly.

Operation it may be assumed that the press occupies the position of Fig. 1 and that a garment to be pressed has been placed on the buck 3. In order to close the press, the operator actuates the valve 33 so as to supply pressure fluid for instance compressed air into the cylinder 30. As a result thereof, the force of the springs 27 and 37 is overcome and the roller 21 which in Fig. l engages the lower end of the cam surface 16 is moved upwardly. Inasmuch as the cam surface 16 is curved about an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the pivot bolt 35, lever 24 becomes coupled to rocker arm 9 as long as roller 21 rolls on cam surface 16. This means that pressure lever 24 together with rocker arm 9 tilts about the axis of sleeve 7 when the roller 21 rolls along the cam surface 16. By the time the roller 21 is leaving the cam surface 16 and is entering the cam surface 17, the pressure lever 24 has almost closed the press as shown in Pig. 2. A soon as the roller 21 starts its movement on the cam surface 17 whose center of curvature is located approximately on the axis of the sleeve 43 or bolt 44, the toggle link 20 will be in alignment with the toggle link 18 as shown in Fig. 2. Consequently the cam 14 and therefore also the rocker arm 9 are arrested and the pressure lever 24 must now tilt about the axis of the sleeve 43 or bolt 44.

As will be clear, the pressure lever 24 now acts like a lever with a long arm equaling the distance from the roller 21 to the axis of the bolt 44 and with a short arm equaling the distance between the axis of the bolt 44 and the axis of the tubular section or eye 46. Consequently the pressure conveyed to the roller 21 by the fluid pressure cylinder piston arrangement 30, 29 is now conveyed to the press head 42 at an increased ratio but at a reduced stroke so that the desired increased closing pressure is exerted upon the press head 42.

During the last phase of the closing operation at increased pressure, a further highly advantageous feature of the invention becomes evident. When considering Fig. 4, it will be evident that the distance between the axis of sleeve 7 and the axis of bolt 55 nearly equals the distance between the axis of bolt 44 and the axis of the tubular section 46. Thus, an approximately parallelogram arrangement is formed by the bar 47, the H- J shaped link 56, the rocker arm 9 and that portion of the pressure lever 24 which extends from the axis of the bolt 44 to the axis of the tubular section or eye v46. Consequently when during the last phase of the closing operation of the press head, i. e. when the head moves from Fig. 2 into Fig. 3 position, a relative movement takes place between the pressure lever 24 and the rocker arm 9, the parallelogram system just described becomes effective so that the head moves parallel to itself from Fig. 2 into Fig. 3 position. Due to this parallel action, the front and rear edge of head and buck engage at the same instant, and pressure is applied evenly. The garment is not slid, rolled, kneaded or wrinkled as is sometimes the case on conventional presses where pressure is first applied at the point on the buck closest to the pivot point of the rocker arm. This is especially true when bucks having a deep vertical contour are used.

When the garment has been properly pressed, the valve 33 is shifted into opening position so that the fluid in the cylinder 30 can escape from the latter and .automatically be discharged when the springs 27 and 37 respectively shift the pressure lever 24 and rocker arm 9 in clockwise direction. It will be appreciated that the opening movement of the head is effected in a reverse sequence with regard to the closing movement.

In other words, first the spring 27 pulls back the roller 21 from the cam surface 17 to the adjacent end of the cam suru face 16 thereby tilting the lever 24 about the axis of the bolt 44. As soon as the roller 21 has entered the cam surface 16, the spring 37 becomes active and shifts both the pressure lever and the rocker arm now moving in unison with each other about the axis of the sleeve 7 so as to return the press head into the position shown in Fig. -1.

Due to the fact that the cam 14 is connected with the shock absorber 38 by means of the rod 41 and the shock absorber arm 49, it will be appreciated that during the movement of the cam '14, i. e. during the first phase of the closing movement of the head 42 and during the last phase of the opening movement of the head 42 the shock absorber will be effective to soften the fast closing and opening phase respectively.

By means of the handwheel 13 and adjustiig rod 12, the pressure adjusting rod 10 can be adjusted so as to vary the position of the normally stationary pivot 10a.

This in turn will change the time at which the toggle link 20 will be in alignment with the toggle link 18 rigidly connected to the cam 14' and thus will determine the time when increased closing pressure will act upon the pressure lever 24 and thereby the head 42.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular construction shown in the drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v

1. In a press having a frame, a supporting member supported by said frame for supporting the article to be pressed, a pressing head, first power means operable to move said head toward said supporting member, and

second power means operable to move said head away 'from said supporting member, the combination of: a rocker arm pivoted on said frame, a pressure lever pivoted on said rocker arm and connected to said first power means, said pressure lever supporting said pressinghead,

cam means pivotally connected to said-rocker arm and provided with two control cam surfaces, control means connected to said pressure lever and arranged for eooperation With said control cam surfaces,'a toggle leverage system having a first toggle link rigidly connected 6 to ho d cam mean stat ona y r on t a P edetermined movement of said cam means.

.2.- .In a Pr ss h i a t am a supporting m m supported by said frame for supporting the article to be pressed, a pressing head, first power means operable to v connected to said pressure lever and engaging said cam slot for cooperation with said first and second camsurface sections, and toggle leverage means having a first toggle link rigidly connected to said cam means and having a second toggle link pivotally connected to said first toggle link and pivotable about a normally stationary axis, said second toggle link being arranged :in response to a predetermined relative position of said toggle links to arrest said cam means.

3. in combination in a press: a frame, a supporting member supported by said frame for supporting an article to be pressed, a rocker arm pivoted on said frame, a pressure lever .pivotally connected with said rocker arm, a pressing head supported by said pressure lever and movable thereby toward and away from said supporting member, first spring means connected to said rocker arm and continuously urging the same to tilt about its pivot connection with said frame so as to move said pressing head away from said supporting member, cam means pivotaliy connected to said rocker arm at a point spaced from and located on that side of said pivotal connection of said rocker armwith said frame which is remote from the pivotal connection of said pressure lever with said rocker arm, said cam means being provided with a first cam surface curved about an axis located substantially in said pivotal connection of said rocker arm with said cam means, said cam means also being provided with a second cam surface curved about an axis located substantially inrthe pivot connection of said pressure lever with. said rocker arm, a control member carried by said 'ressure lever and arranged for sequentially engaging saidfirst cam surface and said second cam surface and -vice versa, :1 fluidoperable cylinder piston system operatively connected with said pressure lever, second spring means arranged for operative connection with said control member for continuously urging the same to occupy a position on said first cam surface, and -a toggle leverage system comprising a first toggle link rigidly connected to said cammeans and also comprising a second toggle link having one end portion connected with said first toggle link and having the other end portion pivotally supported by normally stationary pivot means.

4. A press comprising a 'buck and a pressing head movable selectively toward and away from said buck,

which comprises incombination: a rocker arm pivotable about a stationary axis, a pressure. lever supporting said pressing bead andpivotally connected to one end'portion of said, rocker arm, cam means pivotally connected to the other end portion of said rocker arm, said cam means having two cam surfaces of different curvature with one of said cam surfaces being curved substantially about the axis of the pivoted connection of said rocker arm with said cam means, a control member connected to that end portion of said pressure lever which is remote-from said head, said control member being arranged for sequential cooperation with said cam surfaces, a pair of toggle links pivotally connected with each other, one

of said toggle links being rigidly connected .to said cam means and the other one of saidtoggle'links being pivotable about a normally stationarypivot ,axis, and power means arranged for actuating said control member and 7 for tilting said rocker arm about its stationary pivotal support.

5. In a press having a frame, a supporting member supported by said frame for supporting the article to be pressed, a pressing head, first power means operable to move said head toward said supporting member, and second power means operable to move said head away from said supporting member, the combination of: a rocker arm having a stationary pivot connection with said frame, a pressure lever pivoted on said rocker arm and connected to said first power means, said pressure lever supporting said pressing head, a pressure adjusting lever pivotally connected to the pivot connection of said rocker arm with said frame, cam means pivotally con nected to said rocker arm and provided with two cam surfaces of ditferent curvature with one of said cam surfaces being curved substantially about the axis of the pivotal connection of said rocker arm with said cam means, a control member connected to said pressure lever and arranged for sequential cooperation with said cam surfaces, a pair of toggle links pivotally connected with each other, one of said toggle links being rigidly connected with said cam means and the other one of said toggle links being pivotally connected to said pressure adjusting lever, and means adjustably supported by said frame and pivotally connected with said pressure adjusting lever for selectively tilting the latter about its pivot connection with said frame.

6. In a press having a frame, a supporting member supported by said frame for supporting the article to be pressed, and a pressing head movable toward and away from said supporting member, the combination of: a rocker arm having a stationary pivot connection with said frame, a pressure lever pivotally connected to said rocker arm, a first link pivotally connected to said frame and having a pivot axis in common with said rocker arm, a second link having one end pivotally connected with said first link and having its other end pivotally connected with said pressure lever, said second link carrying said pressing head, two surface cam means pivotally connected to said rocker arm, control means carried by said pressure lever and arranged for sequential cooperation with said cam surfaces, a pair of toggle links pivotally connected with each other, one of said toggle links being rigidly connected to said cam means and the other one of said toggle links being pivotable about a normally stationary axis, and power means operatively connected with said pressure lever and said rocker arm, said second link being composed of two sections yieldably connected with each other.

7. In a press comprising a garment supporting member supported by a frame, and a. pressing head movable selectively toward and away from said supporting member, the combination of: a rocker arm having a stationary pivot connection with said frame intermediate the end portions of said rocker arm; a pressure lever pivotally connected to one end portion of said rocker arm; a link system comprising a first link having one end portion thereof pivoted on said frame coaxially with the stationary pivot connection of said rocker arm with said frame; said link system also comprising a second link having one end portion thereof pivotally connected with the other end portion of said first link and having its other end portion pivotally connected with the pressure lever near the pivot connection of said pressure lever with said rocker arm; said second link carrying said pressing head; the distance between the two pivot axes of said first link approximately equalling the distance between the pivot connection of said rocker arm with said pressure lever and the pivot connection of said second link with said pressure lever so that said first link, said second link, that portion of the pressure lever which is located between its pivotal connection witth said rocker arm and the pivotal connection of the pressure lever with said second link, and the rocker arm section between the pivot connection of said rocker arm with said pressure lever and said frame approximately form a parallelogram arrangement; cam means having two cam surfaces and being pivotally connected to the other end portion of said rocker arm remote from the pivot connection of said pressure lever with said rocker arm; control means connected to said pressure lever and arranged for engagement with said cam surfaces; first power means arranged for actuating said control means; and second power means for actuating said rocker arm.

8. A press comprising a frame carrying a supporting member for supporting the article to be pressed, and also comprising a pressing head selectively movable toward and away from said supporting member, which comprises in combination: a rocker arm pivotable about a stationary axis, a pressure lever supporting said pressing head and pivotally connected to one end portion of said rocker arm, cam means pivotally connected to the other end portion of said rocker arm, said cam means having two cam surfaces of different curvature with one of said cam surfaces curved substantially about the axis of said pivotal connection of said cam means with said rocker arm, a control member connected to that end portion of said pressure lever which is remote from said head, said control member being arranged for sequential cooperation with said cam surfaces, a pair of toggle links pivotally connected with each other, one of said toggle links being rigidly connected to said cam means and the other one of said toggle links being pivotable about a normally stationary pivot axis, power means for actuating said control member and for tilting said rocker arm about its stationary pivotal support, a shock absorber including a shiftable arm and being supported by said frame, and link means having one end thereof pivotally connected to said shiftable arm of said shock absorber and having its other end pivotally connected to said cam means.

9. in a press comprising a frame supporting a relatively stationary buck, a pressing head movable into and out of engagement with said buck, and a pressure lever operable to actuate said pressing head, the combination of: a head mounting supporting said head and having one of its end portions pivotally connected to said pressure lever adjacent the approximate center of the pressing area of said head, a rocker arm having one end portion thereof pivotally connected with said pressure lever near the pivotal connection of the latter with said head mounting, cam means pivotally connected with the other end of said rocker arm, said rocker arm being pivotally connected to said frame at a point intermediate its pivotal connections with said pressure lever and said cam means, link means having a pivotal connection with said frame coaxial with the pivotal connection of said frame with said rocker arm, said link means also being pivotally connected with the other end of said head mounting remote from the pivotal connection of said head mounting with said pressure lever, and control means arranged for cooperation with said cam. means and operatively connected with said pressure lever for actuating the same.

10. A press according to claim 9, in which said head mounting is flexible between its pivotal connection with said pressure lever and with said link means.

11. A press according to claim 9, which includes means for adjusting the pivotal connection of said link means with said frame relative to the latter.

12. in a press comprising a frame supporting a rela tively stationary buck, a pressing head movable into and out of'engagement with said buck, and a pressure lever operable to actuate said pressing head, the combination of: a head mounting supporting said head and having one of its end portions pivotally connected to said pressure lever adjacent the approximate center of the pressing area of said head, a rocker arm having one end portion thereof pivotally connected with said pressure lever near the pivotal connection of the latter with said head 9 mounting, cam means pivotally connected with the other end of said rocker arm, said cam means including an arm rigidly connected thereto, said rocker arm being pivotally connected to said frame at a point intermediate its pivotal connections With said pressure lever and said cam means, link means having-a pivotal connection With said frame coaxial with the pivotal connection of said frame with said rocker arm, said link means also being pivotally connected with the other end of said head mounting remote from the pivotal connection of said head mounting with said pressure lever, control means arranged for cooperation with said cam means and operatively connected with said pressure lever for actuating the same,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,865,238 Davis June 28, 1932 1,984,496 Rapisarda Dec. 18, 1934 2,350,153 Davis May 30, 1944 2,443,573 Brundage a- June 15, 1948 

